@JMohammed@nicole77@JMohammed
I normally ask some open ended questions and some direct content questions to take a feel as to where does the class stands as whole and also to set a stage as how in depth we have to go for technical content. I also give each student 4-5 seconds to respond. If I find I have different answers then we discuss it and ask students to offer little more insight into their answers as why do they think it like that. This involves more students into discussion.
I really like the idea of planning some jokes in the lecture.